Qtel group pushes for greater energy efficiency

Companies in the Qtel Group have been charged with increasing energy efficiency across their operations, following the pioneering Green Power for Mobile Regional Working Group meeting that took place in Qatar in April.

Energy efficiency is a key issue for companies across the Qtel Group, in particular the need to reduce diesel consumption where possible. In many remote and rural areas, diesel is the main source of power for towers and network stations, and the company is looking to reduce both costs and environmental impact by using energy more effectively.

As of 2012, approximately five percent of the power that drives the Qtel Group’s regional networks is derived from renewable sources. With a major network upgrade campaign programme being rolled-out throughout the year, the company is setting ambitious targets for increasing this proportion, particularly as the Group modernises its network sites across Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.

Paul Salmon, Chief Technology Officer and Acting Chief Operating Officer, Qtel Group, said: “Energy efficiency is a key focus area within the network strategy for the Qtel Group, both for the benefit it brings to the community and for the long-term potential for cost savings and greater efficiencies. The communication industry as a whole has an opportunity to enrich people’s lives by deploying the latest solutions, and we believe there significant scope for innovation in this area.”

Following the meeting, Qtel Group has established special teams to study some of the technologies highlighted by telecoms industry group, the GSMA. Renewable power sources are being examined, as well as increased focus upon energy storage. Experts at the Qtel Group have developed a full process for analysing and identifying energy storage solutions, in particular looking to improve monitoring and management architecture, so that energy use is consistently improved across the company.

Another topic that was discussed during meeting , “Barriers to Handset Charging,” looked at smart metering systems using mobile phones. Consumers have the option to buy energy through pre-paid credit using their mobile, which is a useful option for those in remote areas.

The GSMA Green Power for Mobile Regional Working Group brought together representatives from across the Qtel Group’s companies, including Qtel Qatar, Wataniya, Nawras, Nedjma, Wataniya Palestine, Tunisiana and Wataniya Maldives. They were joined by more than 50 executives from a range of companies, including Clean Power Systems, General Electric, ictQatar and Zephyr.

The GSMA Development Fund launched the “Green Power for Mobile Programme” in September 2008 to promote the development of renewable energies for mobile telecom networks. In a related venture, GSMA launched “Community Power from Mobile,” to leverage the scale of mobile technology and infrastructure to improve the case for off-grid telecoms and provide millions of under-served communities access to vital energy services.